Sometimes it seems like I’m hard-wired to look for risks, for dangers.  Perhaps I am.  So here’s a powerful question that I use to help break me out of that mindset:

What’s the best that could happen?

Here’s the deal:  When you have to look for the upside, then it becomes more real.  Those scary scenarios start to take a back seat to the more positive energy that flows from this kind of question.

Let’s say that I’m trying to engage with a potential business partner.  Normally my fears start creeping in:

• What if I lose some control?
• What if the partner doesn’t like me?
• What if I invest a whole lot of effort and it doesn’t work out?

Perhaps you recognize this voice too.  This gremlin is sometimes screaming during these times of economic uncertainty.

So I ask myself the question:  What’s the best that could happen?

• I could get more business than I had possibly dreamed of.
• I might find that this partner really is awesome and energizing to work with.
• This could create wonderful surprises and opportunities that I’d never even thought of.

At this point, there’s a danger that I might become over-optimistic, so now I temper it with a deeper grounding:

• Connect with my core principles
• Trust in myself and my capabilities
• Realize that there are always risks in life, but many are worth taking

Now I’m feeling more comfortable to move ahead with conviction and energy.

You might also find this interesting:

• The courage to act
• Lighten up!
• Creating a custom job out of thin air, part 3: Describing how value would be provided
• Networking with a purpose!
• Career Plan B